How to clean glass from paint?

Carrying out major or cosmetic repairs in the house, each of us was faced with unpleasant moments associated with accidental smudges, splashes, strokes, when painting window frames or doorways. Removing the consequences of such troubles is a lengthy activity that can take more than one hour, but don't be discouraged. In the article, we will tell you how to clean glass from paint in the most effective ways.

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How to clean glass from paint?

The most common type of building material is paint, and most often, window openings are subject to painting. Of course, no one plans to paint the glass itself, so it is recommended to protect it from unforeseen situations with masking paper tape or newspapers.

But sometimes masking tape is not able to help completely avoid dirty stains, stains, smears and splashes on the window remaining after staining. And here the question arises, how to clean the glass from paint so as not to damage it and not spoil the surface just painted next to it.

Of course, a chemical dye is not dirt and dust that can be easily removed with a regular soap solution or a special cleanser. However, you can correct the situation, and there are several methods for this:

• Mechanical.
• Chemical.
• Thermal.

For each method, it is necessary to prepare a set of tools and special household cleaning products. Let's consider each method in more detail.

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Mechanical impact

The old, proven way that our grandmothers used and which does not require special tools and chemicals is a mechanical effect on pollution. You can use this method to remove fresh smudges, as well as to remove old paint from the glass.

Important! This method is the simplest, however, the disadvantage of this method is that it is ineffective for processing large surfaces. Therefore, if you need to clean the glass from paint that has settled in piece drops - you can act, if the scale of the damage is more global - you will have to give preference to another technology.

Instruments

To carry out cleaning work you will need:

• Soft lint-free fabric.
• Clerical knife (sharpened).
• Hot water tank.

We clear glass from paint

Proceed as follows:

1. Moisten a contaminated area of ​​glass with a rag with hot water (maybe even boiling water).
2. Fix the fabric with tape on the surface (for 15-20 minutes) so that it acts on the stain.
3. Attach the cutting edge of the knife at an acute angle to the surface of the glass.
4. Gently scrape off the paint, pressing the knife with the entire plane of the blade. Perform vigorous reciprocating movements with the tool, increasing pressure while moving the knife forward.
5. Gradually, step by step, treat the entire area contaminated with dye.
6. Wash off any scraped paint with clean soapy water.
7. Remove the soap solution with clean water, adding a little vinegar so that there are no streaks.
8. Wipe the surface dry.

Important! Instead of a clerical knife, you can use a safety razor blade, preferably with a handle, or a special clerical scraper to remove glue.To avoid scratches during cleaning, do not press sharp metal corners against the glass surface.

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Chemical way

This method is simple and highly effective, as it allows you to get rid of the most difficult and oldest contaminants in a short period of time. The simplicity is that instead of water, chemicals are used that can dissolve and remove old paint from glass.

Facilities

On sale there are a large number of dye washes, the most famous of them:

• White Spirit.
• Refined gasoline.
• Kerosene.
• Acetone.
• Special solvents that soften the paint.

These products clean the surface of enamel, oil and other paints, carefully dissolving them.

Important! When choosing a solvent, contact the sales assistant and explain to him that you need a liquid stain remover specifically from the glass. On a container with a solvent, there is always an instruction for use. Read it carefully and do everything as recommended by the manufacturer.

Remove paint

The method of application of each solvent is indicated on the package, but the principle of use is the same for most formulations, in particular:

1. First of all, clean the surface from dust and dirt.
2. Wear protective rubber gloves to protect your skin from burns.
3. Apply on a cloth or cotton pad.
4. Apply solvent cloth to the contaminated area.
5. Leave the product for a while (indicated in the instructions) so that the paint softens.
6. Lightly wipe the stain off the glass.
7. Remove undissolved dye patches with a blade or clerical knife.
8. Wipe the cleaned surface with a sponge dampened in water with a little vinegar.
9. Dry the window with a dry cloth.

Important! Working with solvent:

• Protect yourself with protective equipment. Do not allow the chemical to get on the skin and mucous membranes, as this can cause a burn and allergic reactions.
• Make sure that the cleaner does not get on clothes, as it may disrupt the fabric structure.
• At the end of work, be sure to ventilate the room, since all liquid chemicals are toxic and adversely affect the respiratory system.

Useful Tips:

1. To remove old paint from glass, use a special chemical agent made in the form of a paste. Due to its thick consistency, it will not drain from a vertical surface.
2. Liquid oil will help remove dye from the glass. Proceed as follows:
   • Fix the cotton wool to the contaminated area.
   • Soak a small piece of cotton wool with liquid oil.
   • Leave for a few hours.
   • Wash the stain with soda solution or turpentine water.
3. It copes well with traces of dye acetone. If it is not in the house, use a nail polish remover. Apply acetone to the dishwashing sponge. Wipe the stain with the rough side of the sponge.
4. Use a solution of ammonia to not only qualitatively clean the glass of paint, but also to give a gloss to the surface. For this:
   • Dilute 1 tbsp. spoon of 10% ammonia in 1 liter of water.
   • Soak a sponge in the solution.
   • Wipe the surface until thoroughly cleaned.
   • Wash off the rest of the product with water.
   • Wipe the surface dry.

Important! If the paint has not yet had time to harden on the surface, then remove it with a regular detergent: soak the sponge with water and soapy water, and then leave it for a while to allow the soap to soak. Add the solution periodically for contamination. After - gently remove the stain.

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Thermal method

If you are wondering: how to remove old paint from glass, then the thermal method is for this case. This method is suitable for dealing with severely dried paint stains, which have a significant thickness and large area.

Important! The thermal method is based on softening the basis of the dye and weakening the adhesive properties of most paints and varnishes under the influence of high temperatures. For fresh contaminants, this method is best avoided.

Instruments

For work you will need:

• Construction hair dryer or household iron. As a last resort, Electric kettle with boiling water.
• A large piece of foil.
• Scotch.
• Spatula or scraper.

Procedure:

1. Rinse the window glass with water and a cleaning solution to remove dirt and grease stains.
2. Fix the foil to the contaminated surface with tape. Use a piece of foil larger than the area of ​​contamination so that the household appliance does not reach the tape.
3. Direct a hot stream of air coming from a building hair dryer at an angle to the glass. If you are using an iron, press it against the surface of the aluminum foil.
4. After a while, the old piece of paint will dissolve.
5. Remove the stain with a spatula or scraper.
6. Remove the remaining stain with a special solvent or white spirit.
7. Rinse the window glass with water, adding a little ammonia to shine (1 part means to 10 parts water).
8. Ventilate the room.

Important! If you use a building hair dryer or an electric kettle, it is not necessary to cover the stain with foil, but in order to attach the iron to the surface - food-grade aluminum foil is required. Otherwise, from high temperatures, cracks may form on the glass.

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Useful Tips:

1. Old paint can be removed from the glass with an alkaline solution. At home, you can cook it yourself if you mix caustic soda and ammonia. Work with alkali only in rubber gloves, as it eats away even clothing and shoes, not to mention skin. Moisten the dirt with the concentrate several times and the stain becomes loose. After - remove the paint with a scraper.
2. Do not peel off the dye with a knife, as even a coin can scratch the glass. For this purpose, purchase a scraper for glass and ceramic tiles.
3. When washing off a stain from a dye, often change a cotton swab so as not to spread the dissolved paint on the surface.

Important! It is not difficult to clean the glass from paint, especially if the methods and means are used in combination: first mechanically remove large layers of the dye, and then soften the stain with chemical solvents and remove the contamination with a wiper or detergent. In conclusion, it is enough to rinse the surface with water, with the addition of vinegar or ammonia.

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Precautionary measures

To ensure that the work is productive, and most importantly - safe, follow simple rules and recommendations:

1. Before painting windows from freshly painted windowsill, cover it with plastic wrap so as not to leave stains and stains on the surface.
2. Before painting, cover the window glass with a thick layer of laundry soap to protect it. After finishing work, the soap can be easily washed off with the paint that has fallen on it.
3. Before using chemical washes, open windows to provide good ventilation of the room. For the most part, all chemicals are toxic and have a pungent odor.
4. When treating the surface with a building hair dryer, be careful, because in case of overheating, the painted surface of the frame can be damaged, and strong heating of the glass can lead to microcracks.
5. If possible, then for the convenience of work, remove the window opening and lay it on a horizontal plane.

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Stock footage

During the repair work, be extremely careful, especially when painting the window openings with your own hands, so as not to solve the problem of how to clean the glass from paint. But if you still could not insure the window against smudges and smears, then use the methods and tips outlined in the article, depending on the specific situation. Good luck